SO Jail Chaplain

Compensation Range

$36.81 - $46.63

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Job Description Summary

The Chaplain's role in a Jail setting is to ensure all religious activities and related decisions are consistent with constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated inmates, assuring the equal status and protections of all religions. The Jail Chaplain is charged to ensure that inmates receive appropriate religious accommodation(s) consistent with case law and constitutional protections. The chaplain not only facilitates access to religious services but also oversees the coordination of religious volunteers, ensures compliance with institutional policies, and advises on religious and ethical considerations within the jail environment. The Chaplain will work with Inmate Services and Jail Leadership to ensure the proper balance between religious expression and safety in the Detentions setting.

The role of Jail Chaplain is an on-site, in-person position, 40 hours a week, expected to work traditional Monday-Friday business hours, but may require occasional evening, weekend, or on-call hours.

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Job Description

Religious Accommodations - 15%

• The chaplain ensures that inmates have access to religious services, literature, and dietary accommodations as mandated by legal precedent, including the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Proper administration of these rights mitigates potential legal challenges and ensures institutional compliance.
• The Chaplain is responsible for the oversight of inmate religious programming to include, but not limited to, recruitment, supervision, training, and scheduling of both lay and clergy volunteers at the Weld County Jail.
• The Chaplain will assure equal status and protection of all religions.
• The Chaplain reviews and responds to all inmate requests related to religious matters and accommodations, to include religious materials, practices, and diets.
• The Chaplain assists offenders with their spiritual needs, coordinates religious activities within the facility, maintains open lines of communication with the faith communities and operates with the goal of connecting inmates to community-based faith groups upon their release.
• The Chaplain will ensure all religious activities and related decisions are consistent with constitutionally protected rights of incarcerated inmates.
• The Chaplain will work with Inmate Services and Jail Leadership to ensure the proper balance between religious expression and safety in the Detentions setting.
• The Chaplain reports directly to the Inmate Services Director, Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
• The Chaplain will communicate effectively orally and in writing, maintain the trust and confidence of superiors, and follow all directives.
• The Chaplain will consult with, and regularly update, the Inmate Services Director and Custody Staff regarding all aspects of the religious program provided in the facility.
• The Chaplain will be responsible to develop and maintain a comprehensive volunteer program.

Management of Religious Volunteers - 15%

• The chaplain is responsible for screening, training, and managing religious volunteers who provide faith-based services to inmates. This oversight ensures that volunteers adhere to security protocols and align with facility policies, reducing liability risks associated with unsupervised religious activities.
• The Chaplin will develop and maintain working relationships with the faith-based community and religious organizations to achieve the goal of ongoing community support for inmates integrating back into the community. The Chaplain will work with the faith-based community to solicit donations of religious material for all faiths, as appropriate for and in compliance with facility rules.
• A volunteer file will be maintained for each active volunteer.
• The file will contain the following: Volunteer Application, Criminal History Record, Volunteer Notification Contract, evidence of orientation participation, training documentation, documentation of all contacts between the Chaplain and volunteer, all performance corrective actions, the number of hours volunteered, the dates and housing units of bible study groups conducted and the number of inmate participants.
• Volunteer files will be audited annually by the Inmate Services Director for compliance.
• The Chaplain will supervise all religious volunteers.
• Each volunteer will be contacted quarterly at a minimum and four times annually.
• One of the quarterly contacts may include direct observation of the volunteer conducting religious study with inmates.
• The other quarterly contacts may be in person or by phone.
• The purpose of contacts is to determine if the volunteer needs assistance, training, material content and presentation, has questions, issues